How to become a beauty therapist in Australia

beauty therapist in Australia

Beauty secrets: you’ve got plenty of them, and you love to share them with everyone!

You love beauty transformations, and you can’t get enough of using your creative and artistic skills to make others look good – and importantly, feel good!

So, why not make it into a career?

Becoming a certified beauty therapist is an excellent pathway for many people who love the fashion and hairdressing industry – including you!

All you need to start is a good attitude and a passion for all things beauty.

So what’s the next step? Enrol in our hairdressing courses and beauty therapy courses online!

Is beauty therapy a good career?

Australia’s beauty industry is expected to grow over the next years, with an estimate of 3% to 4% growth until 2025 – there’s a good reason right there!

Of course, job prospects aren’t the only thing that this industry has going for it!

If you are wondering if beauty therapy is a good career choice for you, we’ve put together a couple of good reasons why choosing to do so might be the right call for you!

Jobs, jobs, jobs!

Did you know? The number of beauty therapists employed in Australia is expected to reach 50,700 by 2024.

That means plenty of jobs for people who are passionate about the industry, like you!

Whether your passion is in personal care, skin, hair, and nail care, there are plenty of opportunities available to you.

And not just in salons, either – there are also heaps of options in other sectors such as photography, advertising, TV production and more!

Variety of services offered

You love variety – and that’s exactly what this field offers you.

Unlike a desk job that might entail the same tasks on a day-to-day basis, beauty therapy offers a variety of services that will let you enhance your skills in different areas. Trust us, no two days will be exactly the same!

And don’t forget about all the different fields you might find yourself in – as we mentioned before, salon work is only one part of this large industry.

Work with your hands

If you’re the type of person who prefers work with tangible results and where they can see what they’re doing, this might be just what you’re looking for.

Beauty therapy offers immediately satisfying work. No matter what pathway you end up following, this is constant for all beauty therapy students in Australia.

Study beauty therapy for free

An important thing to think about when making your decision is your finances. However for eligible students, you might be able to study for free!

Victorian government funded courses under the Skills First program allow you to begin and complete your beauty therapy course without paying a cent!

Government funded courses allow you to complete all the hands-on training and theoretical learning needed to get your start in beauty care services without having to worry about putting a serious dent in your finances.

Learn more about our free government funded courses online.

What skills do you need to be a beauty therapist?

Besides passion, that is!

As with any job, passion will only get you so far – there are also a number of skills you’ll need to possess in order to succeed in this field.

While some of them are inherent, they can all be taught!

Communication skills

A big part of what you do will involve working with different clients from all walks of life, and often as part of a team.

As such, good communication skills are the key.

Whether it’s listening to the customer’s needs while they are being pampered or coordinating with the rest of your team, communication is a crucial part of the equation for client-facing services such as beauty therapy. 

Detail-oriented

Beauty therapists need to be detail-oriented and good at picking up on things – after all, you’re dealing with somebody’s appearance, so you won’t want to make any mistakes.

And we aren’t just talking about the services you offer, either.

In many cases, you might find yourself working with different chemicals and solutions, all of which have their own unique handling and storage requirements. Other times, you might need to be very careful with formulas.

A keen eye for detail ensures that you’re doing things right, and reduces the risk of any slip-ups.

Creativity

Whether it’s hair, nails, or make-up, a certain amount of creativity and flair is needed to get the right colours, textures, and styles for your clients.

Really, what else needs to be said?

Organisational skills

Being organised with good time management skills is critical for all aspiring beauty therapists.

It’s also one that many overlook altogether!

This doesn’t just extend to making bookings and scheduling, either – organisation skills involve keeping a neat, clean, and hygienic workplace even if beauty treatment procedures are ongoing.

Luckily, there are a number of techniques you can lean on to help you out and avoid behind-the-scenes chaos.

Business management skills

If you plan on starting your very own business or climbing the ladder, then this is a must!

Running and managing a salon or spa business requires a solid understanding of business administration and management skills including marketing, recruitment, client loyalty and of course, staff management.

Each of these are covered as a core part of certain beauty therapy courses (read on to find out which ones).

What qualifications do you need to work in a beauty salon?

Passion and skills alone are not enough in getting qualified to work in a beauty salon in Australia.

Even though there are no mandatory qualifications for beauty therapists, a formal qualification of completing Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115) can be a big help in getting your foot in the door.

What is the highest qualification in beauty therapy?

If you are planning to start your own business or climb into a management role, you might need to enrol in an advance study of the Diploma of Beauty Therapy in Melbourne. 

This is one of the Australian beauty industry’s highest qualifications, with a focus on preparing you to manage your very own salon and hire your staff in time.

You can also be on your way to becoming a beauty consultant once you complete this course.

Learn about our Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)

Equip yourself with all the theoretical and practical training needed to provide a wide range of beauty treatments and services.

Complete this course, and you’ll come out the other end as a well-rounded (and employable) beauty therapist.

The Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy in Melbourne combines both classroom-based and hands-on training in a range of different beauty services that include waxing, nail services, massage therapy, applying tanning products, and lash and brow treatments.

More about our Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)

Do you want to manage your salon? Then, enrol in our Diploma of Beauty Therapy.

This course is geared towards students who want to take a managerial or leadership role, and builds on the foundation established in our Certificate IV with training in management, budgeting, business administration and more.

Enrol in our beauty therapy courses online in Academia!

Learn everything about beauty therapy by enrolling in our beauty therapy courses online.

Find out how we can help you by reaching out to our counsellors and advisers!